Week 5 - Topic Overview
Week 5 - Topic Overview
Table of Contents
5.1 Introduction ...........................................................................................................................................................2
5.2. Learning Outcomes ..............................................................................................................................................2
5.3 Leadership in International Projects/ Markets ...................................................................................................3
5.4. The importance of leadership when expanding into international markets ....................................................5
References ..................................................................................................................................................................11
These skills are categorised as motivating and inspiring, team building, negotiating and
communicating, and listening and influencing skills. According to Lencioni (2002), leaders play
a crucial role in addressing dysfunctionality within project teams. By employing this approach,
the problems that can arise within a project team include a lack of trust, fear of conflict, a lack of
Global leadership must actively seek ways to establish common ground and shared goals, all the
while respecting and acknowledging cultural differences in work practises (Caligiuri & Tarique,
2012). Global leaders must possess the ability to comprehend and value diverse cultural
perspectives that may exist, while also fostering unity and agreement regarding the objectives
and mission of their work. Although the common purpose and objective may share a similar
name, they actually represent distinct goals or meanings. One of the major challenges faced by
global leadership is effectively understanding and managing the tensions that arise between a
central or global headquarters and regional or local teams. It is important to carefully consider
and strike a balance between local needs, customs, regulations, practises, or markets and the
overarching central missions when making decisions. The mission from headquarters should be
Global leaders must possess the ability to be effective in unfamiliar settings and demonstrate the
capacity to think and act in innovative ways (Caligiuri & Tarique, 2012). To excel in global
leadership within multicultural settings, one must possess a distinct set of conventions and skills.
Globalisation has presented both opportunities and significant challenges for businesses,
particularly in their efforts to adjust to new leadership paradigms. In a global context, previously
established approaches that have been tried and tested may not be as effective or could
potentially be destructive. New leaders in international environments must identify the necessary
skills they need to acquire in order to enhance their success in a global setting. While there may
be some shared values, beliefs, and practises, it is crucial for individuals to adopt a fresh
perspective and approach their work environments with a different mindset (Caligiuri &
Tarique, 2012).
Four key leadership functions are intertwined: 1. The strategic domain is where a clear long-term
direction is established. 2. The operational domain is where sustainable business results are
achieved. 3. The people domain is where strong leadership and lasting team relationships are
developed (Cairns, Quinn, Alexander, & Doherty, 2010).
One of the significant advantages of supporting this expansion is the potential for the
organisation to develop a highly skilled labour force, led by strong, flexible, and effective global
leaders. It is unrealistic to expect any leader to excel in all leadership tasks or behaviours every
single day of the year. Hence, it is essential to provide assistance to leaders in developing the
necessary qualities to effectively lead in a global setting. These aspiring global leaders also
require assistance in effectively leading their teams to achieve their maximum potential in an
international context. Many successful CEOs have gained valuable leadership experience by
The first item on the list should be a focused preparation of leaders to expand overseas. To
effectively navigate the new environment, it is essential to conduct thorough research, leverage
existing networking contacts, and actively seek information by asking numerous questions.
Another important aspect to consider is gaining an understanding of the new context. In simpler
terms, it refers to the overall perspective or broader view. This can be divided into an
appreciation of several important areas: the stability of the political situation, the state of the new
region's economic and financial context, the socio-cultural environment, and the reliability of
technological infrastructure. The significance of this understanding can be summarised as
follows by Cairns, Quinn, Alexander, & Doherty (2010): Knowledge is specific to a particular
place or context, while mindset should be broad and encompassing.
Improving leaders' ability to lead involves demonstrating the "human touch" to give their
business a competitive edge. The ability to effectively apply specific leadership characteristics
and behaviours is crucial for achieving maximum impact and optimising team performance.
Having the capacity to demonstrate exceptional interpersonal skills is crucial for establishing
strong relationships, both within the team and beyond the organisation, especially in a new
environment (Liefferink & Wurzel, 2018). The skill to effectively leverage the strengths of a
diverse, multi-disciplinary, and multi-cultural team. Lastly, it is crucial to possess the skill of
adaptability in a world that is constantly evolving, as well as the capacity to engage in
continuous learning.
Another important tip to consider is being aware of the cultural dimension. It is crucial for a
leader to demonstrate an understanding and respect for the standards, norms, and beliefs of the
local culture (Liefferink & Wurzel, 2018). This naturally includes the language spoken in the
local area. Smart leaders will go to great lengths to learn the new language so they can
effectively communicate with the locals and gain their respect. If it is not possible, then effective
Leaders play a crucial role in the success of any organisation, including those operating on an
international scale. Leaders who demonstrate a strong commitment can play a crucial role in
fostering organisational efficiency and facilitating development in various situations. Therefore,
effective leaders demonstrate the ability to predict behaviours and performances within
organisations (Perez, 2018). An active leadership style is considered to be a valuable asset for
maintaining a competitive advantage and fostering management development. A positive
leadership attitude is crucial in helping organisations achieve their desired goals more efficiently.
This can be achieved by connecting staff performance to valued rewards and ensuring that
workers have the necessary resources to accomplish the goal.
Transactional global leadership behaviour involves leaders adopting a reward and punishment
approach to team performance. The leader is given an opportunity to guide the team, and in
return, the team agrees to follow their guidance in order to achieve the organization's objectives,
with the expectation of receiving something in return.
Accordingly, the manager or leader is granted the authority to assess, train, and address
employees when their performance falls short of the desired goals. Conversely, they also have
the power to acknowledge and reward effectiveness when the desired outcome is achieved
(Burns, 1978). The expected performance is determined by a manager's communication of goals,
results, objectives, and rewards to employees who successfully complete their work.